1. Kantian Ethics
Introduction

2. Normative theory ? ‘What is it that makes an action right or wrong?’
Kantian Ethics
Normative theory ?
‘What is it that makes an action right or wrong?’

3. Kantian Ethics Deontological Theory
This theory states that for any action to have any moral worth we can only look at the motives or intentions behind the act

4. Kantian Ethics Deontological Theory
Deontological theories do not list consequences as being important is assessing morality unlike Utilitarian teleological theories. This is because we cannot control the consequences of our decisions or predict the outcomes of our actions.

5. Kantian Ethics Deontological Theory
Also known as ‘Duty Ethics’ as Kantianism focuses on ‘duty’ rather than ‘consequences’.

6. Kantian Ethics
Deontological & Teleological theories are at the extremes. Virtue Ethics fall in the middle. This is morality based upon the character of the person involved and was supported by Aristotle.

7. Kantian Ethics
Reliance on ‘a priori’ knowledge through reasoning. Kant believed that we could know about morality in the same way we know about other things about the world i.e. 2+2=4

8. Kantian Ethics
Reliance on ‘a priori’ knowledge through reasoning. Kant believed that we could know about morality in the same way we know about other things about the world.

9. Kantian Ethics
Kantian ethics believe there certain actions that are always wrong and should never be carried out – lying or murder being two

10. Sovereignty of Reason Page 20 para 3.
Kantian Ethics
Sovereignty of Reason
Page 20 para 3.

11. Kantian Ethics Sovereignty of Reason
Our reactions should be detached rather than selfish
Morality should be universalisable
Morality based on ‘a posteriori’ factors can’t be universalisable

12. Kantian Ethics Sovereignty of Reason
By basing morality on reason we can guarantee that it is objective and its authority or sovereignty
To deny 2+2=4 is just as irrational for Kant as lying. Rationalism even extends into our value judgements

13. Kantian Ethics The Good Will
Where does the goodness of an act come from if we rule out trying to work out what the consequences might be? It must come from something intrinsic to the act itself.

14. Kantian Ethics The Good Will
The Good Will is the only thing that cannot be corrupted in the way that other values can i.e. courage, power, intelligence (p.21)

15. Kantian Ethics The Good Will
Consequences do don’t matter in moral assessments and are irrelevant in calculating the moral worth of an act, only good intentions or motives matter.

16. Kantian Ethics Duty vs. Inclination
The only motive worth any merit for Kant was that of Duty i.e. we know what the right thing to do is so we do it (p.21).

17. Kantian Ethics Duty vs. Inclination
If we act from inclination we do so because of our nature. This may be a result of our genes or upbringing and so are reactions we cannot control. These acts should not be praised (p.22).

18. Kantian Ethics Duty vs. Inclination
Kant argues that praise is only deserved for things that we freely and consciously chosen to do – and if they fit in with common notions of reality.

19. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Maxims
These are the underlying principles of actions i.e. this is where Kant’s theories begin

20. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Maxims
Maxims are general rules of behaviour which we can then apply to particular situations.
‘Never lie’, ‘Always help people in need’ or ‘Never steal’

21. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Maxims
But how do we know which maxims to follow? How do we know which ones apply to moral behaviour?

22. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Maxims
There is little doubt the following maxim offers go advice but would we call it moral conduct?

23. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Maxims
‘If you don’t want to be laughed at, then don’t go clubbing with your mum’

24. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Maxims
Kant thinks there is a sure way of identifying good moral maxims – The Categorical Imperative (C.I.)

25. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative
One way of sorting out moral from non-moral rules of behaviour is that moral rules are examples of categorical imperatives and not hypothetical imperatives

26. The Categorical Imperative Three versions given by Kant Page 23
Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
Three versions given by Kant
Page 23

27. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Universal Law Formulation
All moral maxims must be universalisable, if we ignore these we are acting in a self-contradictory way

28. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative Contradiction in conception
This is a logical contradiction i.e. ‘people should only make false promises when they can gain from it’.

29. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative 2) Contradiction in the will
‘Never help others even when they are in need’
This would not provide a contradiction in conception but would be of the will

30. Kantian Ethics The Categorical Imperative
By doing this we would be willing that we should receive no help when we need it – when we are old or ill